1 Jets player stands to gain the most in wake of Kenyon Sadiq injury

One of the New York Jets' most exciting selections of the 2026 NFL Draft was Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Historically, New York doesn't take the big swings on playmakers, but they made a pretty massive one there.

Sadiq is expected to bring a unique element to the Jets' offense that they've never had at the tight end position. Despite having a frame of 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, the 21-year-old ran the fastest 40-yard dash for a tight end in NFL Scouting Combine history, clocking a 4.39 time.

Unfortunately, Jets fans will have to wait until Sadiq makes his offseason debut. He underwent surgery for a minor sports hernia in early June and missed all of OTAs and minicamp.

But one player was poised to take advantage of all the reps left on the table in the wake of Sadiq's injury, and that's second-year tight end, Mason Taylor.

Mason Taylor getting all first-team tight end reps at Jets minicamp

Just because Sadiq was injured doesn't mean he wasn't attentive at practice. Jets analyst Dan Leberfeld shared a video from minicamp on Wednesday of the rookie watching drills.

With Sadiq sidelined, Taylor is the de facto TE1, and he stands to ingratiate himself well with the Jets' new coaching staff with a full load of reps.

Taylor, the Jets' second-round draft pick in last year's draft, had a solid rookie season. He ended up leading the team in receptions with 44, though that may be more of an indictment of how poor New York's quarterback play and pass-catching options were.

Regardless, it's easy to forget about Taylor, especially in the wake of the Sadiq pick in April. The Jets now have two quality tight ends to work with, and it's hard to remember the last time they even had one.

The possibilities are endless for new offensive coordinator Frank Reich and company, and the 12 personnel sets the Jets will be able to run may break the brains of opposing defenses.

First, Sadiq has to get healthy and back on the field, which ESPN's Rich Cimini predicted will be just in time for the start of training camp.

For now, Taylor stands to gain the most of any Jet in the wake of the rookie's absence, and he surely has taken advantage.

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